Bears Boost Ahead of Tigers

Bristol Bears will field two players this Friday whom they did not have available for their 20-7 victory over Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.

Head coach Pat Lam confirmed on Wednesday that hooker Gabriel Oghre and prop George Kloska are fit to return to the squad. Both players suffered leg strains during the club's loss to Saracens in early October and missed the previous two weeks of competition. Lam stated that both are available for the Premiership fixture against Leicester Tigers.

Back rower Steven Luatua is also cleared to play after taking a severe hit to the mouth against Saracens. Lam noted that Luatua suffered a deep gash but is ready for action at Ashton Gate. The 36-year-old American fly-half AJ MacGinty and Pedro Rubiolo are also fit for selection, with their playing time managed carefully throughout the season.

MacGinty, who recovered from a snapped Achilles tendon last season, will not play for the United States in their autumn international matches against Hong Kong, Romania, and Georgia. Instead, he will join the Bears squad at camp for part of the three-week period. Lam explained that the goal is to keep MacGinty fit for the 2027 World Cup and to secure a Premiership title for the club.

Star centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg is the notable absentee for Friday's game. The 29-year-old has been stood down from all rugby duties indefinitely following two concussions suffered within a three-month period. His most recent injury occurred on October 3 against Northampton Saints when he was knocked unconscious by the knee of England teammate Henry Pollock.

England head coach Steve Borthwick confirmed that van Rensburg will not play in the autumn Nations Championship matches against Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. He will also miss the finals weekend in London at the end of November. Lam expects the centre to return for the derby against Bath in early December. An independent medical advisor determined a six-week recovery period, and Lam noted the club is currently in the fourth week of that timeline.

Van Rensburg has been doing skills work and off-field training but has avoided contact practice. Lam said the player is frustrated by the wait but supported the cautious approach. The Bears aim to have him fully ready for the match at the Recreation Ground in round six.